Malbec Wine Pairings: 21 Ideas for Appetizers and More

We have Malbec food pairing ideas for every meal and occasion.

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Many people first encounter Malbec when it’s being poured beside their steak dinner. This smoky, fruity, full-bodied red wine naturally complements grilled meats. It’s hard to think of a more classic match for Malbec.

But this expressive red wine is more versatile than you might think.

Malbec’s bold flavor pairs with a variety of rich dishes, but its shorter finish allows it to adapt to leaner meals as well.

This diverse array of foods will make satisfying matches for almost any Malbec wine. However, the pairing can be enhanced by tailoring it to where the Malbec was produced. You can also see why Malbec is such a versatile wine by discovering different styles from around the world.

French Malbec is usually lighter in body, with lower alcohol and more savory tasting notes. New world Malbec, from Argentina, Chile, or the United States, is typically big, bold, and fruity. These two styles can complement different Malbec food pairings.

We have many more ideas for pairing Malbec and food. We even have some ideas for pairing Malbec with dessert. After all, what’s dinner without dessert?

Malbec Appetizer Pairing

There are many outstanding appetizer pairings for Malbec. Think spicy, full-flavored, and on the rich side. A charcuterie platter with salami, Ibérico ham, Taleggio cheese, Manchego cheese, farmhouse Cheddar, and more is a great Malbec appetizer pairing. You could also indulge in mini beef empanadas, chipotle beef sliders, stuffed jalapeños, or beef-and-vegetable kabobs.

Malbec Cheese Pairing

In addition to the options listed above, these are some delicious Malbec cheese pairings: Manchego, Taleggio, aged Cheddar, blue cheeses such as Stilton, and sharp artisan cheeses that include herbs. Avoid pairings with very mellow cheeses, such as Mozzarella or chèvre.

Malbec and Pasta Pairing

Malbec and pasta can play very well together. Be sure to pick a pasta that is rich and savory. Meaty pastas like spaghetti bolognese, baked ziti with sausage, and pastas with mushrooms and onions (in a red sauce) are all excellent choices. You can also pair with an artisan-style white Cheddar macaroni and cheese.

Malbec Pairings with Meat

This classic Malbec wine pairing never goes out of style. This wine is a perfect match with beef, lamb, pork, and more. It’s essentially made for foods you can grill.

Pair Malbec with a juicy grilled beef steak, your favorite hamburger, roasted leg of lamb, pork roast, grilled pork, and even dark meat poultry like duck. Malbec has enough body to stand up to these rich foods, but its tannins and finish are slightly more mellow than a Cabernet Sauvignon. So, Malbec is a hit with leaner cuts of meat.

Food Pairings for French Malbec

French Malbecs are usually lighter in body, with aromas and flavors of green fruits, leather, and spice. As such, wines from this region can be paired with leaner meats and dishes with more herbal notes. Try rosemary-crusted roast pork or grilled chicken thighs with a garlic and herb sauce. Roast pheasant or duck confit would also work well.

The Malbec wine pairings we've already covered will work well for most Argentinian Malbecs. Think bold flavors, fruit, spice, and a little bit of smoke. Enjoy!

What are some of your favorite Malbec wine pairings? Let us know in the comments below!